Carlos Sainz provides update on Monaco GP status after football ‘injury’ report
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has moved to clear up any question marks over his fitness to go racing at the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix.
Sainz was among the contingent of Formula 1 drivers, alongside the likes of Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc and compatriot Fernando Alonso, to take to the field on Tuesday evening for the annual Monaco football charity match.
That game took place with the Monaco Grand Prix race weekend beginning from Friday, and so the last thing any driver needed was to pick up an injury during the game.
Leclerc escaped unscathed from his face-plant which set social media ablaze, though there was for a time greater concern over Sainz, who after being substituted, was shown with significant strapping on his right thigh as he received treatment.
Fortunately though there is no threat to Sainz’s participation in the Monaco Grand Prix race weekend, the Ferrari driver taking to Instagram to confirm that he is fit and raring to go.
“Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you know that I am well and completely ready to race this weekend in Monaco,” Sainz stated.
“What happened yesterday was simply a contact during the traditional charity football match, but it was not an injury.
“I enjoyed playing football as I always do and now I am really looking forward to the weekend.”
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Ferrari are in desperate need of a boost to truly get their F1 2023 campaign up and running, having claimed just the one podium finish so far.
Monaco does through potentially present that perfect opportunity, this a venue where the driver can really make the difference around the tight and technical streets of Monte Carlo, while Red Bull’s mega DRS should in theory have less time to do its damage.
And Sainz’s team-mate Leclerc has already revealed his plan to ace the Saturday, with overtaking on race days, where Red Bull truly come into their own, being a very difficult task during 78 laps of the Circuit de Monaco.
Sainz will very much hope then to be in that conversation too as Ferrari chase a first win of the F1 2023 campaign.
